Patents by Inventor Joanna M. Robertson

Joanna M. Robertson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240026493
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising determining an ore map for a heap to identify a location of a recoverable metal-bearing material in the heap, wherein the metal-bearing material comprises iron and at least one other metal value, delivering a leaching solution from a leaching solution source to a leaching solution regulating system, wherein the leaching solution comprises an effective amount of citric acid and hydrogen peroxide, regulating at least one of a pressure, a mass flow rate, or a volumetric flow rate of the leaching solution to achieve a target operational condition, wherein the target operational condition is selected to optimize a set of operational parameters to maximize recovery of the at least one other metal value, delivering the leaching solution at the target operational condition from the leaching solution regulating system to the subsurface leaching distribution system, and delivering the leaching solution at the target operational condition from the subsurface leaching d
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sarah Lyons, Joanna M. Robertson, Casey J. Clayton, Richard Melecio Sanchez, Raquel Crossman, Luciano Kiniti Issoe, Tianfang Ni, Oleksandr Klesov, Luke Gerdes, Muneeb Alam, Chase Zenner, John Warren Dean, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240026492
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising determining an ore map for a heap to identify a location of a recoverable metal value in the heap, delivering a leaching solution from a leaching solution source to a leaching solution regulating system, regulating at least one of a pressure, a mass flow rate, or a volumetric flow rate of the leaching solution to achieve a first target operational condition, wherein the first target operational condition is selected to optimize a set of operational parameters to maximize recovery of the recoverable metal value, delivering the leaching solution at the first target operational condition from the leaching solution regulating system to a subsurface leaching distribution system, and delivering the leaching solution at the first target operational condition from the subsurface leaching distribution system to the location of the recoverable metal value under a surface of the heap to leach and recover at least one metal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Casey J. Clayton, Richard Melecio Sanchez, Raquel Crossman, Luciano Kiniti Issoe, Tianfang Ni, Oleksandr Klesov, Luke Gerdes, Muneeb Alam, Joanna M. Robertson, Chase Zenner, John Warren Dean, JR.
  • Patent number: 10767242
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap. Bacteria from the heap may be fortified to assist in bacterial growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Christine Rae Green, Gabriel Elias Bowman
  • Patent number: 10662502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20190284657
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap. Bacteria from the heap may be fortified to assist in bacterial growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Christine Rae Green, Gabriel Elias Bowman
  • Patent number: 10370738
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap. Bacteria from the heap may be fortified to assist in bacterial growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Christine Rae Green, Gabriel Elias Bowman
  • Publication number: 20190177864
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Wayne W. Hazen, Lawrence D. May, Jay C. Smith, David R. Baughman
  • Patent number: 10246789
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Wayne W Hazen, Lawrence D May, Jay C Smith, David R Baughman
  • Publication number: 20180298505
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 10006133
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce a loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20160230296
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Wayne W. Hazen, Lawrence D. May, Jay C. Smith, David R. Baughman
  • Patent number: 9340849
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, and leaching the roasted metal bearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Wayne W Hazen, Lawrence D May, Jay C Smith, David R Baughman
  • Publication number: 20160068977
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 9187803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 9175366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and a leach medium comprising ammonia and ammonium carbonate, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FREEPORT MINERALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Thomas R Bolles, Dennis D Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20150225809
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap. Bacteria from the heap may be fortified to assist in bacterial growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Freeport Minerals Corporation
    Inventors: Joanna M Robertson, Christine Rae Green, Gabriel Elias Bowman
  • Patent number: 8920773
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a process roasting a metal bearing material under oxidizing conditions to produce an oxidized metal bearing material, roasting the oxidized metal bearing material under reducing conditions to produce a roasted metal bearing material, leaching the roasted metal hearing material in a basic medium to yield a pregnant leach solution, conditioning the pregnant leach solution to thrill a preprocessed metal bearing material; and leaching the preprocessed metal bearing material in acid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Freeport Minerals Corporation
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Wayne W. Hazen, Lawrence D. May, Jay C. Smith, David R. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20140260806
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and an ammonia leach medium, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Publication number: 20140260807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for basic leaching are provided. In various embodiments, a method is provided comprising leaching a slurry comprising a copper bearing material and a leach medium comprising ammonia and ammonium carbonate, adding copper powder to the slurry, separating the slurry into a pregnant leach solution and solids, and performing a solvent extraction on the pregnant leach solution to produce an loaded aqueous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FREEPORT-MCMORAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joanna M. Robertson, Thomas R. Bolles, Dennis D. Gertenbach
  • Patent number: 8012318
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material to produce high quality cathode copper from a leach solution without the use of copper solvent/solution extraction techniques or apparatus. A process for recovering copper from a copper-containing ore generally includes the steps of providing a feed stream containing comminuted copper-containing ore, concentrate, or other copper-bearing material, leaching the feed stream to yield a copper-containing solution, conditioning the copper-containing solution through one or more physical or chemical conditioning steps, and electrowinning copper directly from the copper-containing solution in multiple electrowinning stages, without subjecting the copper-containing solution to solvent/solution extraction prior to electrowinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoran Corporation
    Inventors: John O Marsden, Robert E Brewer, Susan R Brewer, Joanna M Robertson, David R Baughman, Philip Thompson, Wayne W Hazen, Christel M. A. Bemelmans